Throughout the Bible, we see true prophets speaking for God, because God told them what to say and to whom. But the Bible also shows us many false prophets. We see these same false prophets in the world today, using Him to claim He points the world to them and their blogs, websites, or whatever ministry they happen to have.
The Bible says in Matthew 24:24 “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.” Jesus Himself makes it so clear in His warnings of this. That’s why we need to weigh everything that is said. Here are a few more verses all throughout the Old and New Testament that warn about false prophets.
So how are we to make sure we are not deceived by false prophets? Anyone who calls himself or herself a prophet or prophetess and claiming to speak for God might want to remember that the canon of Scripture is closed, and that God has spoken prophecies to us in His Word. Thankfully, God is not a God of confusion. Never was and never will be.
There are four simple ways to God told His people to tell true from false:
If the prophet or prophetess
1. …has prophesies that aren’t 100 percent accurate 100 percent of the time (or are manipulated to come “true”) = False.
2. …points to any “Jesus” other than the biblical one = False.
3. …uses supernatural or occultist techniques used in his or her prophecy = False.
4. …has a rebellious, unrepentant spirit = False.
All FOUR of these tests must be passed, as many false prophets can pass two or three of them. If he or she fails at any one of these, = FALSE.
What if somebody prophesies something and it comes true? Should you listen to them? Check out what Deuteronomy says in Chapter 13 verse 1:
If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes true, concerning which he spoke to you, saying, ‘Let us go after other gods (whom you have not known) and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the LORD your God is testing you to find out if you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall follow the LORD your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him. But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has counseled rebellion against the LORD your God who brought you from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, to seduce you from the way in which the LORD your God commanded you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from among you.
So the Bible is saying that just because someone prophesies the future—it doesn’t mean they are a true prophet. Further, it says God will allow certain prophets to arise who are false who will perform signs and wonders, to test you to find out if you love Him. Then you are to test these prophets by their DOCTRINE! If they are preaching a different Christ or it doesn’t matter—you are not to listen to them.
